Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 678 - 680: Entering the Palace (4)

"I understand, another day I’ll tidy up a few courtyards, and ask you to bring Xing and my sister-in-law to stay here for a while," she paused and added, "It’ll be more lively to celebrate New Year together."

Fourth Master Xiao nodded, neither spoke further.

Early the next morning, Xiqiu completed all her personal matters at home before donning her Second-Grade Imperial Decree attire and putting on the pearl crown. She lightly applied some powder, the white powder covered the natural rosiness of her cheeks, making her appear pale and haggard. She nodded with satisfaction and turned to look at Fourth Master Xiao, who raised his brows and immediately understood her intent, smiling as he nodded.

Xiqiu was assisted by Chunliu and Bihuai as she got on a small sedan chair, switched to a carriage at the second gate. Fourth Master Xiao abandoned his horse and rode alongside her in the carriage, which traveled all the way to the East Splendor Gate. Chunliu and Bihuai waited outside the gate, while Xiqiu switched to a litter and was led by the eunuch into the inner palace, parting with Fourth Master Xiao outside Empress Dowager’s Cian Palace: "If you feel unwell, summon someone, don’t force yourself." He didn’t say where to wait for her, and nodded to the eunuch.

Xiqiu acknowledged, watching Fourth Master Xiao leave. She smiled gently at the eunuch leading her and took out a pocket from her sleeve: "Thank you, sir."

The eunuch expertly weighed the pocket in his hand, nodded to Xiqiu expressionlessly, and extended his hand to say: "This way, Fourth Madam." As they walked, he remarked, "Snow has fallen since yesterday, and although the snow has cleared, the ground is still somewhat slippery. Madam, be careful underfoot."

Xiqiu nodded in agreement, and the eunuch quickly added: "Winter is cold, and the side hall is drafty, causing tea to cool quickly. Fourth Madam is with child, it’s best to drink less cold tea." This was a reminder for her to be cautious about the tea she drank.

Xiqiu’s heart skipped a beat, she looked at the eunuch who hung his head as if the words just now were not his. Xiqiu whispered in response: "Thank you for the reminder." The eunuch continued leading the way without raising his head, replying: "Fourth Master has been kind to me, Madam needn’t worry."

Xiqiu nodded, the two turned a corner and went up a corridor, soon arriving at Cian Palace’s plaque. The eunuch stopped at the entrance: "Fourth Madam, I will leave you here."

"Thank you, sir, take your time!" Xiqiu tilted her face in gratitude and followed the female official who came to greet her from Cian Palace into the palace gates. Much like her last visit, Xiqiu first entered the side hall to wait for the Empress Dowager to summon her. Inside, it was very quiet; a female official brewed her tea, smiling as she said, "The Empress Dowager is currently in the Buddhist Hall, please wait a while, Fourth Madam."

She was summoned at 7 a.m., yet the Empress Dowager had gone to pray. Xiqiu raised her eyebrows and smiled at the female official: "No problem, thank you!" She held the tea in her hands, but only skimmed the floating leaves without drinking, her gaze lowered, circling the incense burner burning in the hall. The scent was faint and pleasant, unlike anything Xiqiu had smelled. The female official greeted her with a smile, then turned to leave and casually closed the hall doors behind her, leaving Xiqiu alone in the empty hall.

Xiqiu furrowed her brows, and once the door closed, she set the tea cup down, like a child who hadn’t seen the world, she wandered about examining her surroundings. She walked to the side of the window, trying to open it, but fortunately, it wasn’t shut tight. She opened the window and someone poked their head through: "Does Fourth Madam have any instructions?"

"No," Xiqiu replied with a smile, "I’m a bit turned around and thought this direction was the way I came, I wanted to check." She had an innocent and bewildered appearance.

"Madam came from that direction," the female official pointed behind Xiqiu, "this way is west, Madam came from the east."

Xiqiu appeared to understand, nodding: "Thanks to you for telling me, or I might get lost when leaving." The female official covered her face and laughed: "Impossible, when Fourth Madam leaves, a palace sister will guide you out."

Xiqiu’s face filled with curiosity, she nodded, then pointed at a pot of flowers blooming on the windowsill, asking: "Is this an orchid?" She paused, "It’s blooming now."

"There’s a flower house in the palace," the female official, seemingly young, spoke casually with Xiqiu due to her harmless topics, "A bloom now is not unusual, even during the harshest winter it can bloom beautifully."

Since she was a guest, speaking with her did not break etiquette.

Xiqiu exclaimed in awe: "There is a flower house in the Marquis Mansion too, although the orchids bloom, they never bloom this well. I wonder how it’s done, I’ll ask the craftsmen at home to learn." The female official listened and smiled lightly.

Suddenly, a cacophony arose from around them, the female official by the window became tense and knelt, calling out: "Nanny Fang."

Xiqiu, positioned at a blind spot, hadn’t seen anyone approaching, but upon hearing the female official’s voice, knew it was Nanny Fang arriving. She turned to look and saw Nanny Fang beneath the corridor, her face cold, glancing this way. As Xiqiu looked, Nanny Fang instantly changed to a smiling face and bowed slightly, then turned and left her line of sight.

Xiqiu shrugged, leaving the window open. She continued enjoying the orchid and refrained from chatting with the female official.

After about half an hour, still no summons came, Xiqiu frowned, her legs were sore from standing, but she dared not return inside to sit. Just as she thought of finding someone to ask, a sudden commotion outside drew attention, soon after, several female officials ran out in a panic from the side hall. She moved to the other side of the side hall to listen, hearing whispers: "The Imperial Physician is here, the Imperial Physician is here."

The Imperial Physician? Who is ill?

Xiqiu dared not open the front window, as it would be seen as spying. She strained to hear, only hearing chaotic footsteps, even those guarding the side hall had partially dispersed.

Clearly, something had happened.

She had waited about an hour when the side hall door was finally opened. Hearing footsteps, Xiqiu returned to her seat and sat down, casually tipping her tea cup over the flowerpot behind her, leaving half on the tea table.

Three or four female officials entered, greeted Xiqiu, and smiled: "Fourth Madam, the Empress Dowager is unwell; all audiences today are canceled. If the Empress Dowager issues another decree in the future, another oral instruction will be passed down. Fourth Madam, please leave!"

So the Empress Dowager really fell ill, how coincidental!

She couldn’t help but recall Fourth Master Xiao’s demeanor from the night before; could this have been his arrangement? A chill crept up her back, and she felt a silent fear; Fourth Master Xiao was too bold.

"Fourth Madam, please!" The female official waited at the door, Xiqiu nodded to everyone and followed them out. After Xiqiu exited, a female official approached where she’d been seated, circled around, and glanced at the tea remaining in the cup...